How to pronounce adversity
Say it like ad-VUR-sih-tee. Adversity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce adversity. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ad
- VUR
- sih
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Adversity pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- adKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- VURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- sihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- teeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of adversity
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ad-VUR-sih-tee.
What does adversity mean?
- The state of adverse conditions; state of misfortune or calamity.
- An event that is adverse; calamity.
Where does adversity come from?
From Old French adversité, from Latin adversitātem, the accusative singular of adversitās, from adversus, the perfect passive participle of advertō (“to turn toward”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with adversity
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of adversity.
Questions about saying adversity
How do you pronounce adversity?
Say ad-VUR-sih-tee. The American pronunciation is /ædˈvɝsɪˌti/. In British English it is /ædˈvɜːsɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in adversity?
Adversity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VUR). Broken into parts: ad · VUR · sih · tee.
Is adversity pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ædˈvɜːsɪti/ (ad-VUR-sih-tee).